Giving Up Power

In class, we started a new topic about the Congress of Vienna. The essential question asked ‘what should people in power do when their power is threatened?’ In order to answer the essential question we examined different documents. We learned about the relationship between Klemens von Metternich and Napoleon. As a class we watched a video about the interaction between Metternich and Napoleon, and how Metternich wanted to find a compromise. We then discussed a map that displayed the boundaries in Europe at the time. At the end of class, we had an idea of what great lengths people will go to in order to save their power.

The balance of power was created as an idea of equality, to eliminate threats throughout the five countries, France, Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia. The balance of power was an alliance to make sure that at any time no country will become more dominant than the rest. The congress of vienna used the Balance of Power to stop threats of revolutions and wars.The Congress reconstructed the map of Europe, making the five countries have an equal amount of land. This new found balance made it more difficult for any empire to overthrow the rest, keeping peace within the countries. The Congress of Vienna decided to come up with the balance the power because Metternich, and official from Austria, and the surrounding countries all felt threatened by napoleon's conquest. All the leaders from the big powers in Europe felt their power would be threatened by Napoleon, They decided to exile Napoleon and balance the power with one another to prevent any one leader from trying to take over the rest.

I believe that the Congress of Vienna made the right decision in exiling Napoleon. By balancing the power among the countries, it insure that no country will try and take over another. However; I believe people in power should be willing to sacrifice some of their power under certain circumstances. The power should be given to someone who will best provide for that country instead of someone who will take advantage over that power. If  a leader can not help their country then they should give up their power and give it to someone who can.